Two guys have been detained by the Nigeria Police Force’s National Cybercrime Centre in connection with an Abuja romance scam.
Jerry Okoye and Ifeanyi Nwosu were charged with identity theft and criminal conspiracy.
ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force’s public relations officer, disclosed this on Thursday and claimed that the suspects’ electronic devices included evidence of the criminal activity.
Adejobi said in the statement that the NPF will not waver in its “commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our citizens by relentlessly cracking down on criminal activities such as identity theft, romance scams, sextortion and other cyber-related crimes.”
These suspects, Jerry Okoye and Ifeanyi Nwosu, both residents of Panasonic Estate in Idu, Abuja, confessed to their involvement in computer-related crimes linked to romance scams and identity theft, according to the statement, which was paraphrased as follows. Their electronic devices have yielded significant information about their illicit actions.
Former University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) student Jerry Okoye claimed to have worked in the music industry since 2016 and run a public relations firm. He acknowledged, however, that he had been involved in fraudulent operations since 2014, especially on Facebook. The investigation also turned up strong evidence connecting him to fraud and romance schemes that have persisted up until the present.
According to the Force PRO, Ifeanyi Nwosu, the second suspect, made “cash exchanges” with Winnie, a 69-year-old Caucasian woman.
Similar to the first suspect, Ifeanyi Nwosu, a close friend and coworker of Jerry Okoye, who was also detained, stated that his visit to the home was for the purpose of recording music. He acknowledged having a special bond with Winnie, a 69-year-old white woman who he describes as both a fan and a friend, though.
According to information that has surfaced, Ifeanyi Nwosu and the old woman had a financial relationship that went beyond simple friendship, according to the Force PRO.
Adejobi said the NPF’s commitment to its “
“We advise the general public to exercise caution and vigilance when communicating with people online, especially those they haven’t met in person.
We urge all Nigerians and residents to actively work with the Force to secure our cyberspace and safeguard our communities from these threats, it continued. Nigeria’s protection is a shared obligation that cannot be dismissed.
